Remembrance by Dan Long
(September 23, 1932 – March 7, 2024)
Frankie came to Ann Arbor in 1968 to marry Scott. She was a Smith College graduate and earned her master’s degree from Harvard. She taught High School English and worked in public health education before her career at the University of Michigan. At the Medical School, she helped found and took a leading administrative role for the Michigan MD/PhD program.
She was very active in the community. Through International Neighbors, she helped welcome women from around the world into Ann Arbor life. She led English conversation groups, edited “Living in Ann Arbor” and served as the organization’s president, twice: first in the 1970s and again after retirement, in 2001. Frankie was a supporter of the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation’s Magee Outreach Fund, and she left a very generous gift for that fund in her will. The annual income from this fund is granted to St. Clare’s outreach programs.
Here at St. Clare’s, Frankie contributed energy and commitment to parish life until she passed away in March 2024. In 1979, she became the first female Senior Warden of this parish, serving two consecutive years at a time when St. Clare’s was planning its future, increasing membership and, importantly, building the relationship with Temple Beth Emeth and strengthening the Genesis partnership.
She was one of the founders of the Inez Wisdom Endowment Fund. Frankie understood that love for this parish is shown both in what we do today and in what we make possible for future generations. Frankie helped preserve our parish memory. With my wife, Kay, she co-authored the history of St. Clare’s first fifty years; the period from 1953 to 2003. She and Kay spent more than a year in the Bentley Library archives and interviewed many individuals who attended our little mission church in the early years.
Frankie loved books, music, travel, art, conversation, and friends. She could be direct and no one had to read between the lines with Frankie, but her directness was how she showed up, engaged and ready to take action.
Beyond her larger-than-life personality and her contributions to this Church and the wider community, I knew Frankie to be a thoughtful, caring and supportive friend. Frankie, Scott, my dear wife Kay and I became great friends. We spent time together, enjoying many memorable vacations. After Kay’s neurological diagnosis, Frankie devised a plan so Scott and I could have lunch on a regular basis. She took Kay one
direction and Scott and I would go the other. Frankie was so kind, generous and creative. I still have lunch with Scott. At the moment he is planning his ninety-ninth birthday party.
As we remember Frankie Simonds today, we give thanks for a woman who helped move our parish forward, welcomed strangers, and strengthened the organizations & groups she joined. She contributed to each of them with courage & conviction. She was a true Ambassador of Saint Clare’s.
In this capital campaign season, her example reminds us that our roots are not an abstract concept. They are the people who worshipped with joy, grew in faith and acted for justice. People who gave their time, talent and treasure to St. Clare’s, so that others might find a lasting spiritual home in this place.
